<p>Constructive criticism is much needed. I want to improve my writing as soon as possible.
Here is an essay I wrote for one of my classes:</p>
<h2>P. How did Gandhi change Indian society and end British rule?</h2>
<pre><code>Gandhi was acclaimed for terminating British rule by promoting nonviolence. Mahatma Gandhi tenaciously endured and peacefully fought British adversity in order to make a change in Indian society. Nonviolence and its respective aspects—self-control and restraint under adversity, changing minds and not “hating” revenge or punishment of the enemy, and accepting punishment—served to galvanize a change in society that ended British rule in India. Gandhi and the idea of nonviolence were greatly effective at changing society, ending British rule and gaining independence for India.
Indians utilized self-control and restraint under adversity in order to challenge British rule. The British controlled India economically, socially, and politically, and were superior militarily. Feasibly, the British were able to contain furors and protests through use of their prodigious armies. In turn, this made the British ostentatiously superior in Indian society, for the many Indians that did condemn British rule were easily punished. Gandhi, an advocate of India’s independence, cleverly and willingly, introduced an ingenuous idea of nonviolence—having self-control under turmoil—to the Indian people. This not only focused attention to unfair laws of the British, but also discouraged violence and rioting in India. For instance, during the Salt Works Protest, Madame Sarojini Naidu stated, ”India’s prestige is in your hands. You must not use any violence under any circumstances. You will be beaten but you must not resist; you must not even raise a hand to ward off blows.” During the Salt Works Protest, Indians were often compelled to use violence against British officials due to the scorn that the British felt for Indians. However, the Indians chose not to trifle with the British and instead restrained themselves from using violence. Jointly, they accepted brutality and refused retaliation. In this description of the Salt Works Protest self-control is shown, “Suddenly, at a word of command, scores of native police rusted upon the advancing marchers and rained blows on their heads with their steel-shod [clubs]. Not one of the marchers even raised an arm to fend off their blows.” By practicing self-control and restraint, the Indians directed more attention to the unjust laws, instead of possible violence and rioting. This encouraged revision of the unfair laws of the British, changing Indian society. Moreover, self-control and restraint transpired change for India, for people acted more peacefully which discouraged violent civil disobedience. In fact, violent civil disobedience such as chaotic riots and discordant rebellions would only lead to stricter control over India and result in the loss of many Indians’ rights. Self-control and restraint under adversity aided India to its independence from British rule by pinpointing attention to unfair laws of the British instead of violence and revolt.
As the Indians changed their minds and started to not loathe revenge or punishment of the British, change in India was inexorable. In Gandhi’s letter to a British official, he states that he does not hate the British despite all their wrongdoings,” I cannot intentionally hurt anything that lives, much less human beings, even though they may do the greatest wrong to me and mine.” Gandhi exhibits the changing of Indians’ perspectives from intentionally hating the British to respectfully refuting British rule. In fact, since the British had already established supercilious attitudes towards Indians, the act of the Indians hating and rebelling against the British would only cause these attitudes to worsen. The sheer refractoriness of human nature shown in Indians against the British was the main cause of independence for India. People’s wistfulness for India’s independence drove the acceptance of their enemies scathing opinions which encouraged change. Furthermore, Gandhi explained that although he resented the British, he would never harm them,” Whilst therefore I told the British rule to be a curse, in India… I do not intend harm to a single Englishman or to any legitimate interest he may have in India…” Gandhi showcases that although British rule is wrong, he will always protest nonviolently. Gandhi’s teachings were closely followed across India, which made people peacefully protest British rule. As more people protested peacefully, the British were overwhelmed by the Indians desires for independence. Unwilling to fight a risky war, the British eventually gave India its independence.
Indians accepted brutal punishment for independence from the British. Gandhi wrote in one of his reflections: “But whether or not we succeed in obtaining these conveniences, every one of us was firm in his resolution of passing his term in jail in perfect happiness and peace.” Gandhi explains that India and its people sanguinely accepted punishment, in this case jail time, in order to push change in unfair British laws. The Indians coveted “conveniences” or changes in the unfair laws. As a result many endured imprisonment, violence, and even mortality to exhibit the wrong ways of the British. Furthermore, Gandhi states in his journal that he is willing to take the worst punishment for India’s independence, “If these men had committed an offense, I had committed a greater offense and I therefore asked the Magistrate to impose upon me the heaviest penalty.” By agreeing to receive this punishment, Gandhi exemplified to the Indians true courage. Moreover, he lured attention to unjust British laws. This established the beginning of nonviolently battling the British. Soon, Indians alike protested peacefully and accepted beatings, imprisonment, and overall harassment. After Gandhi’s death and over a century of peaceful protesting, India was free. In 1947, the Indian Independence Act was passed, which gave India its independence. The years of people nonviolently protesting and accepting punishment in India were finally rewarded.
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<p>Gandhi and the idea of nonviolence revolutionized India. Remaining resolute for change, Indians accepted punishment, changed their minds and stopped hating their enemy, and used self-control under adversity to draw attention to unfair British laws. This attention inevitably led to changes, which gave more Indians rights. Steadily, the Indians regained control of their country by peacefully protesting British rule. Today, people revere Gandhi for his great accomplishments as the Mahatma, Sanskrit for “Grout Soul”. Surely, Gandhi and the idea of nonviolence were greatly effective at changing society, for India gained its independence in 1947.</p>